Police Arrest Hundreds of Protesters Defying Ban on Palestine Action in London

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Parliament in London on Saturday to defy a ban on the group Palestine Action, which has been deemed a terrorist organization by the government. The protesters, organized by Defend Our Juries, expressed their support for Palestine Action through signs and chants, despite the government's ban. Police quickly responded by arresting over 700 people, bringing the total number of arrests to over 1,500, with 138 charged under the Terrorism Act.

Key Takeaways:

• The Metropolitan Police force arrested 700 people at earlier protests, with 138 charged under the Terrorism Act.
• Mike Higgins, a 62-year-old blind man, was arrested last month but returned to demonstrate on Saturday, stating "What choice do I have?"
• The government proscribed Palestine Action in July after activists broke into a Royal Air Force base and vandalized planes to protest against Britain's support for Israel's offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
• The group Palestine Action is challenging the ban in court, claiming it is a peaceful protest organization.
• The protesters held signs reading "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action" and chanted slogans such as "Shame on you" and "Met Police, pick a side, justice or genocide."
• The police stated that "Expressing support for a proscribed organization is a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act," and would make arrests where offenses were seen.

Statistics:

• 700 people were arrested at earlier protests.
• 138 people have been charged under the Terrorism Act.
• Over 1,500 people participated in the protest on Saturday.
• 2 tanker planes were vandalized at the Royal Air Force base by Palestine Action activists.
• The number of protesters arrested on Saturday was not specified in the article.

Sources:

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